Taximeter having a stamping mechanism

ABSTRACT

A taximeter has register mechanisms for registering data regarding each driver&#39;&#39;s work shift, for example the total amount of money earned during his work shift. The register mechanisms have printing type digit wheels and the taximeter has a stamping mechanism operated by an external manual lever, enabling the driver to print on a paper the setting of the register mechanisms at the beginning and the end of his work shift.

United States Patent Borgstrom Gote Ingvar [4 1 July 11, 1972 [54]TAXIMETER HAVING A STAMPING [56] References Cited MEC ISMUNI'I'EDSTA'IES PATENTS [72] Wm svanlm' Swede 1,169,860 2/1916 Ohmer eta1 ..235/30 [73] Assignee; Ab Akuebohg, svangsta, Sweden 1,736,41611/1929 Ohmer ...235/30 1,794,845 3/1931 Gluck et al. ..235/30 22 Filed:June 24, 1970 Primary Examiner-Joseph W. l-lartary [211 App! 49309Attorney-J. Bradley Cohn [30] Foreign Application Priority Data [571ABSTRACT A taximeter has register mechanisms for registering data relune24, 1969 Sweden ..8943/69 g g each dfivefs work shift, for example thetom amount of money earned during his work shift. The register [52] U SCl 235 30 34 97 mechanisms have printing type digit wheels and thetaximeter 51 MIC] 60;! 13/00 has a p g mechanism operated y an externalmanual E Field 235/30 lever, enabling the driver to print on a paper thesetting of the register mechanisms at the beginning and the end of hiswork shift.

lClaim,4DrawingFigures TAXIMETER HAVING A STAMPING MECHANISM The presentinvention relates to a vehicle taximeter of the type described in thepreamble of the accompanying claim 1.

A known taximeter of the type referred to is intended to preventunauthorized use of the vehicle.

The object of the present invention is to enable the driver at thebeginning and the end of a work shift to stamp the register mechanism ofthe taximeter instead of, as has heretofore been the case, copying thefigures registered by the mechanism, which involves the danger ofreading or writing these figures erroneously. The recorded informationserves to verify for the owner of the vehicle and the authorities howfar the driver has driven and the sum of money represented by thedistance covered. At the same time, the driver should have thepossibility of obtaining for his own interest a copy of thisinformation. I

This object is obtained in accordance with the invention by providingthe taximeter with the characteristic features disclosed in theaccompanying claim 1. The driver need only insert a slip of paper intothe taximeter, to be stamped thereby. If he himself desires a copy ofthe record slip, he can use several slips of paper provided with carbonpaper therebetween or may cause a number of separate slips of paper tobe stamped by the taximeter. To ensure that all the slips of paper arestamped clearly, all register mechanisms, in accordance with theinvention, are suitably adapted to be indexed forwards so that onlywhole numbers are printed.

In accordance with a further development of the invention, such ataximeter is characterized in that the indexing mechanisms of theregister mechanisms advanced as a result of movement of the vehicleinclude a driven annular cam element which is dependent on the movementof the vehicle and which has a cam surface which continuously risestowards a projection, the cam surface cooperating with an arm adapted toadvance the register mechanism in a manner whereby the arm is imparted acontinuous movement in one direction and is then released at the step onthe cam surface so that the arm returns with a snap like movement in theopposite direction, thereby indexing the register mechanism through onestep.

To these ends it is suitable to provide the indexing mechanism with anarrangement adapted to disconnect the drive means of the cam elementwhen the vehicle is reversed. No fee should be registered when the taxiis driven with the taximeter set at the for hire position. To theseends, the taximeter according to the invention is arranged so that theadvancing mechanism of the register mechanism for a paid drivingdistance presents a means adapted to disconnect the advancing mechanismof the register mechanism when the taximeter is set to for hire.

The disconnecting means may suitably comprise a pivotally attached armhaving a hook-shaped end adapted to be swung, when setting the taximeterto for hire, so that the hookshaped end enters the path movement of areciprocatingly movable advancing pin of the register mechanism, wherebythe pin when moving in the advancing direction, hooks into thehook-shaped end and is arrested thereby.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the printingmeans lacks inking devices such as typewriter ribbons. Instead theregister carrier is combined with a carbon paper or the like, therebyavoiding the maintenance associated with printing ribbons or printingpads in the taximeter. As aforementioned, copies for the driver areprovided by stamping a plurality of paper slips or by stamping a bunchof such slips with carbon paper placed therebetween.

A simple and reliable form of release mechanism for the printing meansis provided with a taximeter which, in accordance with the invention, ischaracterized in that the external operating means is connected to anarcuate arm which extends in through a guide slot in the taximetercasing and the inner end of which is hooked into the end of a pivotallymounted spring arm connected with tension springs for the stampingmechanism, the construction of the arcuate arm and the sPring arm andthe mutual positional relationship between spring arm and tensioning thesprings until the inner end of the arcuate arm is moved laterally by theslot in the casing from the spring arm thereby to release said arm andthe springs for effecting a stamping sequence.

An embodiment of a taximeter constructed in accordance with theinvention will now be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawing, in which FIG. 1 is a sectional elevation of a taximeter inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section taken along the line II, II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line III, III of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a horizontal section taken along the line IV, IV of FIG. 3

The taximeter, as shown in FIG. 1, is positioned on a bracket secured toa plate 1 having end walls 3 and 5 and includes five register mechanisms6-10. The register mechanism 6 is screwed securely to the end wall 3while the register mechanisms 7-10 are screwed securely onto separateplates 11, which in turn are supported on the bracket by means of rods13. The rods 13 are screwed into the end walls of the bracket anddistance tubes or spacer 15 are arranged between the plates 1 1 andrespective end walls 3 and 5.

The taximeter is enclosed in a casing 17.

The register mechanisms 6-10 include digit wheels provided with printingtypes. The register mechanism 6 discloses the number of the taxi cab andcan be reset in a simple manner if the taximeter is moved to anothervehicle.

The register mechanism 7 indicates the number of kilometers paid for.This register mechanism should be disconnected when the taximeter is setto for hire." This is achieved by means of downwardly pivoting, when themeter is set to for hire," a resilient book 21 pivotally mounted on theplate 1, thereby preventing indexing of the register mechanism 7 byhooking of the advancing pin or indexing means 23 in the hook 21.Indexing of the register mechanism 7 takes place in other respectstogether with the register mechanism 8.

The register mechanism 8 discloses the total number of kilometersdriven. Indexing of the register mechanism 7 and 8 takes placesimultaneously and shall be effected so that the change from one digitto the next takes place instantaneously, thereby preventing the stampingmechanism of the taximeter from stamping an intermediate positionbetween two digits. Indexing of the register mechanisms is effected bymeans of an angled arm 27 (FIG. 1) pivotally mounted in a bearing 25 onplate 1, wherein the angled leg portion 29 of the angled arm 27extending parallel with the rear wall of the bracket simultaneouslyactuates both register mechanisms 7 and 8. The arm 27, as shown is FIG.3 and 4, is imparted its pivoting movement by abutment with a cam wheel31. The cam wheel 31 is rotatably secured in a bearing 33 on the plate 1with its shaft perpendicular to the pivoting axes of the arm 27. Theside of the cam wheel 31 abutting the leg portion 29 of the arm 27 isprovided with a curve of such configuration that the leg portion isswung progressively in one direction and is then snapped back tostarting position, thereby indexing the register mechanisms 7 and 8through one digit.

The coupling between the cam wheel 31 and the pivoting arm 27 does nottherefore function in the opposite direction, i.e. when the vehicle isreversed. The cam wheel 31 is driven by a gear transmission, generallyindicated by the reference numeral 35 (FIG. 2). The transmissionincludes a gear wheel 37, which is journalled on a pivotable arm 39.When the vehicle is reversed, the arm 39 is swung to one side by meansof a mechanism not shown, whereby the gear wheel 37 no longer engages adrive wheel (not shown). Consequently, when reversing the vehicle, thecam wheel 31 is not driven and hence no distance is registered.

The register mechanism 9 discloses the number of fares. When thetaximeter is switched on, a lever arm 41 (FIG. 1) is actuated and inturn actuates the indexing pin 43 of the register mechanism 9. u

The register mechanism discloses the number of lO-Ore intervals.Indexing is effected by means of an arm 45, which actuates the indexingpin 47 as best shown in FIG. 2.

The stamping mechanism as shown in FIG. 1 of the taximeter includes fivestamp arms or plates 51, which are pivotally mounted on a tube 55situated in front of the register mechanisms and which is located in theend walls 3 and 5 of the bracket. Each stamp arm is arranged in front ofa register mechanism and presents two limb members 57 rotatably mountedabout the tube 55. The ends of the limb members are connected through ayoke 59, on which is secured a pad 61 and a weight 63. A shaft 53 isjournalled in the tube 55 and provided with four-sided shaft ends 65(FIG. 2) projecting beyond the end walls of the bracket. A spring arm66, 67 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is secured to each shaft end and the two arms aremutually connected by a rod 69 parallel with the shaft 53. Five springs71 (FIGS. 1 and 3), one in front of each register mechanism, are woundaround the tube 55 with one end of the spring resting against theforward under edge surface 73 of the bracket and the other end thereofresting against the rod 69, the spring coils being wound so that the rodis actuated in a direction towards the register mechanism 610. Thesprings can be tensioned by moving the rod 69 downwards and forwards onthe taximeter, i.e. towards the left and upwards in FIG. 3. This iseffected by means of an arm 75 (FIG. 2) which is pivotally mounted onthe taximeter casing 17 adjacent the end wall 5 of the bracket and whichis provided with a gripping portion 77. The inner end of the arm 75 isbent into the shape of a U and provided with a pin 79 situated outsidethe casing 17 and on which a hook 81 is pivotally mounted. As best shownin FIG. 2, the hook 81 extends into the casing 17 through a slot 83arranged therein. A spring 85 wound about the pin 79 biasses the hook 81so that its inner end abuts a shoulder 86 on the spring arm 67positioned outside the end wall 5. One end of the spring 85 bearsagainst the arm 75, while its other end rests against a projection 87 onhook 81.

When the arm 75 is swung in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 2,the hook 81, by abutting against the spring arm 67, will swing thespring arm 67 clockwise together with the shaft 53, which in turn swingsthe spring arm 66 outside the end wall 3. In this way the rod 69 iscaused to accompany the movement and tensions the spring 71. The stamparms 51 also move clockwise under the influence of the force exerted bya weak spring 95 (FIG. 3) which is tensioned between the shaft 69 and aweak shaft 97. The shaft 97 extends through openings 99 which are muchlarger than the cross dimensions of the shaft and arranged in the limbmembers 57 of the stamp arms. Considerable play is thereby providedbetween the shaft 97 and the openings 99, whereby the influcene of anycrookedness of the weak shaft 97 or possible differences in heightbetween the register mechanism 610 is eliminated.

The distance between the shoulder 86 of the arm 67 and the center lineof the shaft 53 is less than the distance between the center line of theshaft 53 and the nearest end of the slot 83 for the hook 81.Consequently, when the arm 75 is swung and the hook 81 is drawn out ofthe casing 17, the right end of the slot 83 will urge the hook to theleft, whereby the end of the hook 81 comes out of engagement with theshoulder 86, which occurs when the end of the hook comes adjacent thewall of the casing. Under the influence of the spring 71 the arms 66 and67 will be swung counter clockwise, back to the position shown in FIG.2, in which they rest against rubber abutments 89 on the end walls ofthe bracket. The stamp arms 51 accompany the counter clockwise movementof the rod 69. The stamp arms, .however, continue to move counterclockwise when the spring arms 66, 67 abut their respective abutments89, owing to the kinetic energy in the weights 63, until the pads 61strike the printing wheel of the register mechanism. Stamping of allregister mechanisms is effected simultaneously on two sheets of paper 91having provided there between carbon paper, said sheets being insertedbetween the pads and the register mechanisms through a slot 93 m thetaximeter casing shown in FIG. 3. The relevant numbers are stamped onthe paper 91 through the intermediary of the carbon paper. No ink padsor ink strips need be used, although instead of two papers having carbonpaper inserted therebetween another paper can be used which is pressuresensitive and gives a visible print when stamped. The sequence forstamping the register mechanisms of the taximeter is thus that a doublepaper 91 with carbon paper or the like inserted therebetween is insertedin the slot 93 of the taximeter casing 17, whereafter the arm 71 isswung up into abutment and then released. This will cause the paper tobe stamped and the papers can then be removed from the taximeter.

What I claim is:

1. A vehicle taximeter having a swingable for hire" flag comprising aplurality of counters (6, 7, 8, 9, 10), an arm (29) mounted for swingingmovement adjacent said counters, indexing means (23) connected to eachcounter and mounted for movement in a first direction from a firstposition to index said counters and returnable in a reverse direction tosaid first position, said arm contacting and moving said indexing meansin said first direction, a cam (31) for moving said arm in said indexingcontacting and moving action, said cam having a drop for quicklyreturning said arm after moving said indexing meanS in an indexingdirection, means mounting a movable hook (21) manually movable into thepath of at least one of said indexing means to prevent movement of saidat least one indexing means in said reverse direction to prevent said atleast one indexing means indexing the counter to which it is connectedwhile permitting the indexing of the remaining counters, said manuallymovable hook being connected to said for hire" flag of said taximeter,said at least on indexing means being inoperative when said flag is inthe for hire position, a stamping mechanism comprising a plurality oflimbs (57) pivotally mounted on said taximeter adjacent said counters,stamping plates (51) secured on the free ends of said limbs, a pair ofpivotal arms (66, 67), a member connecting the free ends of said armsand spanning said plurality of limbs being tensioned to swing saidmember and said limbs and said stamping plates simultaneously againstsaid counter, guide means to guide paper between said plates and saidcounters whereby said members may simultaneously stamp said paper onsaid counters.

1. A vehicle taximeter having a swingable ''''for hire'''' flagcomprising a plurality of counters (6, 7, 8, 9, 10), an arm (29) mountedfor swinging movement adjacent said counters, indexing means (23)connected to each counter and mounted for movement in a first directionfrom a first position to index said counters and returnable in a reversedirection to said first position, said arm contacting and moving saidindexing means in said first direction, a cam (31) for moving said armin said indexing contacting and moving action, said cam having a dropfor quickly returning said arm after moving said indexing meanS in anindexing direction, means mounting a movable hook (21) manually movableinto the path of at least one of said indexing means to prevent movementof said at least one indexing means in said reverse direction to preventsaid at least one indexing means indexing the counter to which it isconnected while permitting the indexing of the remaining counters, saidmanually movable hook being connected to said ''''for hire'''' flag ofsaid taximeter, said at least on indexing means being inoperative whensaid flag is in the ''''for hire'''' position, a stamping mechanismcomprising a plurality of limbs (57) pivotally mounted on said taximeteradjacent said counters, stamping plates (51) secured on the free ends ofsaid limbs, a pair of pivotal arms (66, 67), a member connecting thefree ends of said arms and spanning said plurality of limbs beingtensioned to swing said member and said limbs and said stamPing platessimultaneously against said counter, guide means to guide paper betweensaid plates and said counters whereby said members may simultaneouslystamp said paper on said counters.